J.Crew October Catalog: Have You Seen It Yet? :)

A big (and I mean gigantic) "thank you!" goes to AppGal who shared with us the following images in J.Crew's new October catalog.

Created with Admarket's flickrSLiDR.

I don't know what it is- but I love looking at new catalogs. Even if they aren't a location issue, I still love them!

Have you seen the October catalog in person already? What are your thoughts on the catalog and the items featured? Are there any "love it" or "leave it" items? ;)

P.S. I just have to say "thank you!" again to AppGal who took out the time to scan these images for us. I really appreciate it. :)

Seek & Find: Will you visit J.Crew this Weekend?

This is the weekly "sale watch" post, to help each other find sale items at our various local J.Crew stores. ;)

If you are stopping by a J.Crew store this weekend (to take advantage of the "secret sales", the "additional 25% off" final sale items, or to see the additional Fall arrivals), maybe you might be willing to share that with us in this post. In particular, if you could share with us a few of the sale items that are available, at what prices, and potential sizes the store is carrying (as well as the store location)- that would be fantastic! Thanks in advance!!! :)

P.S. I noticed that many of you have already been reporting sale items (and in which stores) in other posts, which by the way "thank you!" :) I really love how helpful we are for each other!

Off On A Tangent: Ann Taylor Offers 25% Off

A big "thanks!" to Laura1 (in the "J.Crew's Secret Sale In Stores {Shssh!}"post) who let us know that Ann Taylor is offering 25% off (both in stores and online) and free shipping (online) on orders of $175+ with promo code 25FALL. This offer expires 9/22/08. (Click here for the offer.)

Ann Taylor is also offering two $50 Chic Cash Cards (to be used for future purchases) for every purchase of $100. This promotion lasts from 10/11/08 trhough 11/1/08. :)

J.Crew's Secret Sale In Stores {Shssh!}

A big "thank you!" goes to Anonymous at 1:17 PM (in the "J.Crew Stores: Grand Opening List!" post) who let us know that her local J.Crew (in Cambridge MA) is having a "secret sale" on solid-color cashmere sweaters (women only) for $99. Chances are that your local J.Crew is having a similar secret sale (for a limited time) too. :)

For those of you who have not heard of a secret sale at J.Crew, you are not alone! ;) I actually did not know about them either, until this blog's wonderful members shared that knowledge with me.

J.Crew's "secret sales" (and Aficionadas, please correct me if I am wrong or forgot to add something) essentially will have in-season items on sale without the sale being advertised (e.g. no email, no sign at the store). Also, the stores' associate determine which customers they share the "private sale" information with.

Are there any other J.Crew items that are currently on "secret sale"? :) Have you made purchases with items that were on "secret sale"? What do you think of J.Crew's secret sales in general?

J.Crew Stores: Additional 25% Off Final Sale

"Thanks!" to Anonymous at 12:18 PM & 3:35 PM, Rachel, and ML (in the "J.Crew Stores: Grand Opening List!" post) who let us know that J.Crew stores are having an additional 25% off final sale (as oppose to 20% off).

I called a few stores to ask them how long the final sale with 25% off would last and all the associates had the same response: (1) that they didn't know, and (2) the additional percent off could vary day to day. This seems a bit odd (that it can vary day to day) but I didn't want to push the subject too much. :)

Happy Shopping Aficionadas (and Aficionados!) ;)

Update: J.Crew sent an email today announcing this very sale. This additional percent off sale ends this Sunday.

Do you think you will take advantage of the additional 25% off final sale? What do you make of the varying additional percent off final sale? Do you think we will see a greater amount discounted on the final sale soon (like 40% or even 50%)?

P.S. I am currently in the process of moving (again- I know!) But this should be the last time. :) I apologize in advance for any delay in response. But by the beginning of next week, I should be back to posting & replying with normal response times. :)

J.Crew Stores: Grand Opening List!

"Thanks!" to TJ at J.Crew who shared with us the following list (shown below) of the new J.Crew store locations. TJ aslo adds that the "expected opening dates for these stores range from October to December. Of course, the exact dates are subject to change and have not been officially set for most of these stores".

• Little Rock, AR {first store in Arkansas!}
• Emeryville, CA (Opening: 3.17.2009)
• Fresno, CA (Opening: 10.28.2008)
• Los Gatos, CA (Opening: 4.14.2009)
• Malibu, CA (Opening: 3.19.2009)
• Aspen, CO
• Canton, CT (Opening: 9.30.2008)
  
• New Canaan, CT {crewcuts only} (Opening: 3.31.2009)
  
• Stamford, CT (Opening 11.25.2008)
  
• Greenwich, CT {Madewell store} (Opening: 03.03.2009)
  
• Miami, FL (Opening 12.09.2008)
• Orlando, FL (factory store) (Opening 11.6.2008)
• Atlanta, GA
• Marietta, GA (Opening: 10.14.2008)
• Lake Forest, IL (Opening 11.18.2008 )
• Leawood, KS (Opening 5.19.2009)
• Hingham, MA {crewcuts only}
• St Louis, MO (Opening 10.28.2008)
• St Louis, MO- another one, yey! (Opening 3.03.2009)
• Roseville, MN (Opening: 9.30.2008)
• Freehold, NJ (Opening 10.28.2008)
• Cherry Hill, NJ (Opening 3.31.2009)
• Madison ave, NYC {Collection Store} (Opening: 10.10.2008)
• Broadway, NYC {Men's Only} (Opening 4.21.2009)
  
• Wilmington, NC (Opening: 9.23.2008)
• Woodburn, OR (Opening 2.24.2009)
• Gaffney, SC (Opening: 3.03.2009)
  
• San Antonio, TX (Opening: 10.24.2008)
• Fredericksburg, VA
• Seattle, WA (Opening: 5.12.2009)

Also, "thanks!" to J.H. & Heidi (in this post) who let us know that Roseville, MN will have a J.Crew store (and is expected to open 9/30/08).

"Thanks!" to Luigi (in this post) who let us know about the factory store opening in Orlando, Florida. :)

Are you excited about the new stores opening up? (I know I am- since there will be two more stores in CT!!!) Are any of these stores near you? Or are you planning to make a special trip to any of these stores? :)

Questionable Item of the Week: Vintage French Terry Tuxedo Pant

Vintage French Terry Tuxedo Pant
Click here for product page
Item 97650
Regular: $69.50

A big "thanks!" to Heather and Kater who suggested this item for a future post in the "J.Crew Emails A Reminder About Free Shipping" post.

At first, glance these pants seem fine. Definitely not an obvious choice for a "questionable item" post. However, upon closer examination these pair of pants are quite questionable. ;)

The name alone of these sweatpants should be of some concern: "Vintage French Terry Tuxedo Pant". The description only confirms the concern: "You won't want to take this one off. Soft, lightweight french terry cotton. Straight fit. Elastic waistband with silk drawstring tie. Silk stripe detail at side seam... Import. Dry clean.".

Now back that up... these are "dressed up" sweatpants? Isn't that an oxymoron? Aren't sweatpants the antithesis of dressed up clothes? Also (as both Heather and Kater pointed out,) these pants are "dry clean". Dry clean... really? These must be one of the most expensive pair of sweatpants ($70) that you cannot really even wear (because of the dry clean factor). I have to say that these pants are a "pass" for me. ;)

What do you think? Do you think I am being overly critical about these pants? Do you think these pants are worth the price tag? Will you purchase these pants? If you already own them, please let us know what you think. :)

J.Crew Emails A Reminder About Free Shipping

J.Crew sent another email today reminding us about the promo offer of free shipping until 9/17/08 with codes SEPTEMBER ($100 min) and AUTUMN ($150 min).

Incidentally, the sale section has been replenished with a lot more merchandise. It is definitely worth checking out. :)

Is it just me or have they been sending a lot more of these "reminders" than past promotions? Do you have a feeling that J.Crew will send another email tomorrow, reminding us that it is the last day for the promo too? ;)

Dear FFM: Help Put Together A J.Crew Outfit For Me

FabulousFloridaMommy (FFM) regularly guest blogs on outfits she creates with items that you, the members, request. :)
FFM has done it yet again! A big "thank you!" to FFM, who has exceeded my expectations and created a fabulous outfit for almost every single request in the "Dear FFM: Help Put Together A J.Crew Outfit For Me" post!

To view the sets, click on the links below. (The name of the link relates to the request for an outfit.)

Deep Indigo Chiffon Trim Tissue Tank With Denim
Children Librarian- Liberty Prof. | Liberty Storytime | Deep Indigo Prof.
Berry-Trim Astrid In Blue- For Office #1 | Office #2 | Casual Chic
Berry-Trim Astrid in Plum- Look #1 | Look #2 | Look #3
Maize Tartine Crewneck- Look #1| Look #2 | Look #3
October Wedding- Look #1 | Look #2 | Look #3
End Of Summer Mommy- Chic #1 | Chic #2 | Chic #3
Crystal-Button Colorblock- Cardigan Prof. Chic | Cardigan Casual Chic
The Academy Pant With Isabel and Lydia
Wool Herringbone Pencil Skirt in Sweet Potato- Look #1 | Look #2 | Look #3
Wool Gabardine In Dark Chestnut- Look #1 | Look #2
Jacinda In Black For The Attorney- Look #1 | Look #2
Cashmere Femme Sweater At The Picnic- Look #1 | Look #2
Love To Show Off Argyle Knee Socks- Look #1 | Look #2
Seize IL Giorno
The Beaded Shoe Tee Styled Two Ways
The Cooper, The Chocolate Cord Skirt, and The Sardine Tee
Polka Dot Lana Casual Chic

Are there any items from J.Crew (that you either own or are thinking about getting) that you would like FFM to create outfit ideas. Feel free to include additional info like: the climate/season you want to wear the item/outfit, as well as age bracket/lifestyle. :) After a few days, FFM will select a few items (from the feedback) to create a couple of Polyvore outfits with those items (which will then be posted for all).

What J.Crew pieces do you often wonder how to use in an outfit? What J.Crew items would you like to see an outfit created for (please include item name or item number)? Do you have any J.Crew items in your closet that you are unsure how to style with? Please, let us know! :)

Love It Or Leave It: Bouclé Mohair Lucille Jacket

Bouclé Mohair Lucille jacket
Click here for product page
Item 96407
Regular: $285.00

Namtaro actually suggested this particular jacket's for a "Questionable Item of the Week" post due to the colors this jacket is being offered in (which is orange and spicy mustard).

Namtaro mentioned: "the jacket is beautifully made – the construction and fabric are superb, and I love the collar, which is what attracted me to the jacket in the first place. However, the jacket is SO orange, it could be used to direct air traffic at Chicago O’Hare in thick fog! There is a mustard colour (which I don’t like and doesn’t like me back), which is unique and colourful but hard for many people to pull off."

I have to agree with Namtaro on both points: (1) that the jacket's cut, length, and fabric are quite beautiful- and I really love the foldover collar; and (2) the color choices are also very limiting. And because I really do love the style of the jacket so much, I just could not see it in a "Questionable Item of the Week" post. ;)

What I don't understand is why these beautiful coats are being restricted to some really selective colors. Why can it not also come in more neutral shades like black, white, tan, and navy? Even a dark red would be a beautiful choice for this coat. Although the orange and spicy mustard shades are lovely, they are also extremely difficult for many Aficionadas (including myself) to pull off. :)

What do you think of this coat? Do you love it or would you leave it? Do you like the jacket in either the orange or spicy mustard? Do you own this coat? If so, please let us know what you think?